27 November 2009

The evangelical Christian mayor of Vallejo, California, is under fire after calling gay and lesbians "sinful".

In an article about the escalating tensions between recent gay arrivals and evangelicals in the Bay Area city, the New York Timesquoted Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis as saying: "They're committing sin and that sin will keep them out of heaven. But you don't hate the person. You hate the sin that they commit."

Davis, who is a lawyer, is a devout follower of the charismatic Assemblies of God and advertises himself as a "Christian attorney". Two years ago, Davis won a bitter mayoral race by just two votes in a recount over an openly gay candidate. On Top Magazine reports: "Several gay candidates say the city is replete with anti-gay sentiment. They point to prayer circles formed outside the City Council chamber and political 'faith forums' hosted by a coalition of local churches."

One outraged Vallejo resident told KTVU: "It's not okay for him to say that. That's his own personal belief and it's shocking to hear someone say that, especially today in California and Vallejo as diverse as it is."

The mayor offered an "apology" and says his remarks were taken out of context. Gay activists in the city are not impressed. They will push for the mayor's censure and a demonstration is planned for December 1. Watch a news report WHEN YOU JUMP.